Group donates bus to Down Syndrome foundation

As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the West African Ventures Group (WAV), an integrated oil service company, has donated a brand new 18-seater bus to the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria.

Making the presentation at the foundation’s office in Lagos, Mrs. Eno Agada, who represented the company’s president, stated that the gesture was part of WAV’s effort at giving back to the society and putting smiles on the faces of the needy.

On the choice of the foundation as a beneficiary, Eno said the foundation was found to be in dire need and the WAV Group felt honoured to meet such need.

She said: “Their fliers got to us, and we visited the premises and based on our findings, we presented a report to the president who immediately took decision that the company should donate a brand new bus to the foundation.”

Receiving the key of the bus, the National President of the foundation, Mrs. Rose Mordi, expressed appreciation for the kind gesture from the company.

Mordi said: “I think I’m short of words because I’m totally overwhelmed. I least expected this, but I think it is the best Christmas gift my children have had. This is the first time we are getting this type of gift at this time of the year. Usually, people give us food stuffs or give us some money or school equipment but I think this bus donation beats all.

“It is one of the most important items that we need for the smooth running of the foundation. The children we have here have special needs and part of the programme we have is social integration and we have to move them around because they cannot take public transport, they cannot go out for events on their own and if we don’t have a vehicle to take them out, the programme will not be effective. This gift could not have come at a better time”

She explained that the foundation takes care of Down syndrome in children and some adults that is caused by a genetic disorder resulting from the addition of an extra chromosome in a zygote, which according to her, predisposes them to mental retardation and a few other health issues.

“The only way to take care of them is to carry out early medical intervention, early educational intervention plus vocational training and early social integration. And if these three programmes are effectively carried out, these children can live at least a semi independent life,” she added.

Mordi called on the government and private organisations to help the foundation put in place structures that would help provide early intervention for the affected children. “We call on the Federal and state governments as well as corporate organisations to partner with us. In advanced countries, the basic structures for such organisations are provided by the government but unfortunately there is no such thing in Nigeria.”